The Eichner Law Firm

Media Coverage

Day-Care Provider Left Out of Extortion Investigation by DA

BOULDER – The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office will not pursue a case against a Longmont day-care provider arrested this summer for investigation of extortion.

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether Mary Anne Sandoval – or her daughter, Ann Marie Pineda, who also was arrested – committed a crime, according to prosecutors.

However, Pineda’s husband, Joseph Pineda, continues to face charges of a criminal attempt to commit theft over $15,000, a class-four felony, prosecutor George Codding said.

The three were arrested in August and accused of trying to extort thousands of dollars from a Longmont man and threatening to report him for child molestation if he didn’t pay.

“At no time did Mary Anne Sandoval ever threaten anyone or ask for money” her attorney, Kenneth Eichner, wrote in a letter to the Daily Times-Call. “Moreover, at no time did she ever threaten to file any type of molestation/abuse charge.”

The situation began after Anne Marie Pineda stopped dating the alleged victim, Greg Eliason, in July, according to Eichner.

Following the break-up, the lawyer said, Sandoval and Eliason had a financial dispute over Brittney Spears concert tickets.

Eliason, 51, contacted police in August and told them the Pinedas were trying to extort money from him, according to police reports.

Joseph Pineda allegedly left a voice mail message making a statement to that effect, according to reports.

Sandoval, 58, runs a state-licensed day-care center out of her home at 2271 Dexter Drive.

“Mrs. Sandoval has run a day-care center for 20 years without any type of criminal allegation,” according to Eichner.